State Security Service and Customs Disrupt Major Drug Trafficking Channels

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Operational officers of the State Security Service, in cooperation with internal affairs bodies and customs structures, conducted a series of large-scale operations aimed at disrupting channels of illicit trafficking of narcotic substances and potent medical drugs. As a result of coordinated actions across several regions of the republic, individuals involved in smuggling and storing prohibited substances were detained.

One instance involving the transportation of a large shipment of drugs was uncovered at a road patrol service post, where a Chevrolet Cobalt passenger car traveling from Karshi to Tashkent was stopped for inspection. Among the passengers of the vehicle was a resident of the Bulakbashi district of the Andijan region, born in 1966. During the search of his hand luggage in the presence of witnesses, operational officers discovered five carefully wrapped packages bound with yellow tape. Forensic expertise confirmed that the packages contained hashish with a total weight of 5 kilograms and 32 grams. The physical evidence was seized in accordance with established legal procedures.

Concurrently, in the Gijduvan district of the Bukhara region, law enforcement officers thwarted the cultivation and storage of narcotic plants. On a homestead plot belonging to a local resident born in 1974, 33 cannabis bushes were discovered and confiscated. Furthermore, during a search of the address, operatives uncovered marijuana ready for consumption and sale with a total weight of 7 kilograms and 79 grams.

Another special operation to liquidate a distribution channel for potent substances was carried out in the Ferghana region. In the Baghdad district, security forces stopped a Chevrolet Lacetti vehicle traveling along the Andijan–Kokand route. In bags belonging to two passengers—residents of Kokand born in 2001 and 1982—officers discovered 1,200 vials of the potent pharmaceutical drug Tropicamide. In a synchronized action, their accomplice, born in 1986, who was escorting the cargo in a Spark vehicle, was also detained.

Further investigative and operational measures led to the arrest of two additional participants of the criminal group, men born in 1998 and 1980. An additional 345 vials of Tropicamide and 15 packages of the drug Regapen were found in their possession. The investigation established that the detainees had organized regular illegal smuggling of potent medicines from the Kyrgyz Republic via bypass routes for the purpose of subsequent retail sale.

Criminal cases have been initiated by the competent authorities for all three recorded incidents, and comprehensive investigative activities are currently underway.